Automatic telephone-switch.



` k.' E. KEITH.. AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED N0`V. I5. IB'II. RENEWED OCT. 29. I9I4.

Patented July 4, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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i JTW/55555 X/TTORNEYSJ' C E. KEITH.

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SVWITCH. APPLICATION FILED NOV. l5, 49H. RENEWED OCT. 29,1914.

Patented .my 4, 1916 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. E. KEITH.l AuToMArlc TELEPHONE swncH. APPLICATION FILED NOV. i5.. 19H. lRENEWED OCT. 29, 1914. jh 993645, Patented July 4,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- A. I KEITH. AUTQII'IMICYTELEPHONE SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED NOV. i5, ISII. RENEWED OCT. 29,19I4.

Patented July 4, 1916.

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MTA/55555 6 61j@ @7 A. E. KEITH.

l AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SWITCH.'

APPLlcATloIa msn Nov.15. 1911. nsmzwel ocr. 29. |914.

1,189,364. Pantewly 4,1916. 4 A A 5 SHEEJLSMEET 5.

CIDCID III . 50 between a calling and a called line in a sysnise-,eerr

ful Improvement in Automatic UNITED v4sin'rns rnrnnfr ,.oprrrcnf."

'ALEXANDER n. Knien, or nmsnALn, rumors, Assrsnon 'ro AUroMArIc'ELncrnro COMPANY, or-lfcnrcneo, immers,

A. COROBATION GF ILLINOIS.

uromarrc TELEPHONE-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

` Fatented uly 4, 1916.

Application filed November 1911, Serial No. 660,367. lRenewedctober 29, 1914. -Seral No. 869,347.

r To all whom it may concer/1i Be it known that I, ALEXANDERE. KEITH, a citizen of the United States w'of America, and resident of Hinsdale, Dupage county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and use- Telephone- Switches, of which thefollowing is avspeci'- ication. Y

My invention and more particularly to an improved form of automatic telephone switches for use in automatic or semi-automatic telephone systems, and to an improved method of open ating said switches. Y.

Heretofore it has been'customary to operate automatic switches by a step-by-step motion, the extent of which motion was controlled by a series of impulses corresponding to a digit of the called number, or else these switches have been operated by continuous motion, and the extent of this continuous' motion has been controlled by mechanism which operates in synchronism with the' automatic switch.

An object of my invention is to provide a switch which, when a call is ma-de, moves -its wipers directly to the contact of the desired line, or to the level in which this contact is located, with a uniform motion. Thisuniform motion is, however, controlled by means of push buttons, and itis unnecessary to employ any means which is operated in lsynchronism with the automatic switch. "Such means are very objectionable, asit 1s ,diicult to maintain such mechanism in exact synchronism, and it is thus impossible to obtain exact and accurate operation ofthe switch. l

I have .chosen to illustrate my invention in connection with an automatic switch of the type illustrated in the application of John G. Blessing and Bernard D. Willis for improvement in automatic telephone switches, Serial No. 68,110 filed March 16,

1912, in which the switch wipers have a continuous downward movement to select a 4 group and then a continuous rotary movement to select a line in a determined' group. In the drawings Figures 1 and 2 taken together represent a complete connection tem embodying the principles ofmy invention. Fig. 23 is a front view oi? the connector switch. Fig. e is a rear view oi the same. Figs. and 6 are left and right hand side relates, tov telephone systems, Y

7 and 8.are` views showing the lower end of the shaft-of the connector and-the wipers `carried'thereby. The system represented herein is a semiautomatic system of that character in which f the subscribers lines terminate in automatic trunk-selecting switches which operate upon the initiation of a call to connect the lines with idle trunk lines leading to a manual switchboard and to signal an operator there# at.` The operator completes the connection I' views, respectively, ofthe connector. l- Figs. l

to the lcalled line by manually connecting ,the

` trunk seized by the calling subscriber with.

a second trunk line leading to an automatic switch which has access to the line desired,

and by then operating said switch to cause it to connect with the line called for.

i IIn Fig. 1 the line of the substation A is shown connected through its individual trunking switch C with a trunkline ending in a plug I on a manual switchboard. The plug P is, shown inserted into a jack J of a -trunk line leading to anV automatic connector switch E which has been operated to connect with the line of substation A. The substation A (Fig. 1) may be an ordinary manualcommonbattery substation and, as shown, it comprises the usual receiver 66, transmitter 67, switch hook 69 and ringer 68. The lii'e switch C, which is individual to the line of the substation A, and the master switch D' can be of any desired type, but I have chosen'to illustrate the same as modified forms of the general type of line switch and master-*switch disclosed in British patent4 to 1R. W', J ames, No. 26,301'of 1906, but vof the particular type shown in British patent to T. Gr. Martin, No. 1419 of 1910. As theseV switches form no part of my present invention, it is not thought necessary to enter into a detailed description of the same, as this can be readily obtained by referring to the above-mentioned British patents.

In the two sides ofthe trunk line leading to the plug P there are inserted the two The answering key K is for the purpose of connecting the operators talking set S with the trunk. ,g

Associated with each of the trunk lines leading to the connectors E there is a calling device M comprising a plurality of push buttons T. These buttons are shown extending downward lthrough a bar 107 which is adapted to be moved endwise by the electromagnet 108 when the same is energized. On the side of the rod 'of each of the push buttons'there is a small lug so arranged that when any button is depressed and the bar 107 moved to the right by the magnet 108, said jas depressed button will be locked down and none of the remaining 'buttons can be depressed until said magnet is denergized.

As shown 4in Figs. 3 to 8, inclusive, the connector switch E, with which I have chosen to illustrate my invention, resembles the automatic switches shown in United States Letters Patents Nos. 815,176 and 815,321, granted Marc-h 13, 1906, to Keith, Erickson and Erickson, in that it comprises a bank of contacts which are adapted to be engaged 'by a set of wipers carried upon a shaft or spindle which is capable of both vertical and rotary motion. 1n the above figures, 2 rep re `sents a plate upon which the various parts are mounted. The banks 3 (only a pgrtion of one of which is shown in Fig. 3) are mounted upon rods 4 and 5 attached to the lower end of the plate 2. These banks, may be of any suitable construction and usually comprise ten horizontal rows of contacts with ten contacts in each row. The shaft G is mounted in the bearings 7 and 8 upon the front of the plate 2. On the lower end of the shaft there is shown one wiper 9. It will be understood that there may be a pluralitv of wipers attached to the shaft 'and a separate bank gear wheel which engages a worm gear of a v of contacts provided for each wiper. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 6 there is a cylinder 12. There is a pin 13 on the shaft 6 which eX- tends through a spiral slot 14 in the cylinder, the purpose of which will be hereinafter pointed out. On the back of the cylinder 12 there is a series of gear teeth 15 which mesh with a gear wheel 16 on a shaft 17.'

which is provided with three projections or.

fingers which are adapted to be engaged by 'the end of the armature lever 51 of the elec-- trornagnet as shown most clearly in Fig. G. Secured to the shaft 2,0 there is also a governor comprising a pair of l weighted saings 26 and a stationary cup 27. As the shaft 20 rotates, the springs 26 revolve and i their ends fly out and rub on theinside of the cup 27, thereby producing a braking action Lto control the speed of operation of the switch. On the back of the plate 2 is a solenoid 30, the plunger 31 of which is provided with gear teeth which mesh with. the pinion 32 on the shaft 17. On the opposite end of the shaft 17 there is a coil spring 33 which exerts aforce tending to rotate the shaft.

On top of the plate 2 there is a sliding catch .Vhen the cylinder 12 is lowered, the arm 37 of the lever-36 engages the armature of the relay 38 and still holds the catch 34 out of.

engagement with the teeth on the shaft until the relay 38 is energized. On the back of the yits sides which, when they are opposite the spring 44,'permit it to come into contact with the spring 43. Whenever the shaft 20 is at restw'ith one of the lingers of the member 22 engaging the armature lever 51 of the magnet 25, a notch in the disk 45 is opposite the end of the spring '44, permitting it to drop into contact with the springv 43. When the shaft 20 is rotating, the notches in the disk 45 pass the end of the spring 44 so rapidly as not to permit it to come into contact with the spring 43, Located on the back of the switch is a pair of springs 59 and 60 controlled bya pin in the wheel 16 in such n .znner that the contact between said springs is closed when- In general, the operation of the switch is as follows: The cylinder 12 is normally held in its upper position, as shown in the drawings, against gravity and the tension of the spring 33 on the shaft 17 by thel engagement of one of the fingers of the-locking member 22 with the arm 51. 1f the magnet 25 be energized, the arm 51 releases the member 22, therebv unlocking the mech- `anism. This permits the shafts 20 and 1-7 to rotate to allow the cylinder 12 and shaft 6 to be lowered. The shaft continues to move downward with a uniform motion until the magnet 25 is denergized to again lock the mechanism. During this downward movement of the shaft the spring 44 is maintained out of engagement with the spring 43 in a manner previously explained. 1Vhen-the mechanism comes to rest, the spring 44 engages the spring 43, which energizes the relay 38. The relay 38, upon energizing, releases the arm 37 of the lever 36, which permits the catch 34 to ever said wheel is out of its normal position. i

pulled over into'engagement with vone ofA 'i the teeth 35. If, now, the magnet 25 be energized again, the cylinder` 12 will move downward again' 1n the same manner'as inder 12 at this time owing to the engagement of the catch 34 with AAthe teeth 35.

i During this downward movement of the cylinder it is, therefore, evident that the slot 14: will have a downward movement with respect tothe pin 13, and since the slot 14 extends around' the-shaft in the form of a portion of-a helix, this relative movement of the pin and slot will cause the shaft 6 to be rotated,A carrying its.

wipers'over the contacts in their respective rows, corresponding to the' particular tooth with which the catch 34 is in engagement. This rotary motion of the shaft will 'cease when the magnet 25v is denergized. It will be seen that the downward movement of the cylinder 12 causes the core 31 of the solenoid 30 to bel raised, owing to the lengagesolenoid core. In order to return the parts to normal position it is merely necessary to energize the magnet 30, so as to exert a downward 1 pull upon the solenoid, which 'thus causes the shaft- 17 to revolve in the opposite direction to raise the cylinder and narily found-on switches of this general' rewind the spring 33. The shaft 20 is not rotated at. this time on account of the ratchet and pawl connectionl between 'they gear wheel 18 and the shaft 17.

As indicated' in Fig. 2, there are carried v-by the shaft of the connector two wipers 10 and 11 in addition to the wiper 9 shown in:Fig. 3, these three wipers being the usual line and private or testing wipers ordicharacter. In addition to the wipers I9, 10 and 11, 'the switch is provided with two auxiliary wipers 109 and 110 upon the lower end of the shaft. wipers is adapted to engage a single row of contacts, which may .be convenientlyr secured to the posts 4; and 5. The wiper 109 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 6 between two collars 189 and 190, which collars are iirmly secured to the shaft by means of set screws. Thus, while the wiper 109 is forced to move with the shaft during its vertical motions, said wiper re- Amains stationary during the rotary motions of the shaft. The wiper 110 is loosely mounted upon the shaft. Above the 'wiper 110 there is an arm 191 rigidly mounted on the shaft 6,'said arm having a downwardly extending portion 'which' extends through an opening in an arm 192 which is secured vto thefwiper 110. The wiper 110 isthus adapted to Aremain stationary during the vertical vmovements of the shaft, but is forced 'to rotate with it. The number 0f-` Each of these contacts in lthe bank' b which are lengaged'y by the wiper 109 is one greater than the number ofvlevels in the line banks, and the 'number of contacts vin the group c which 'are engaged-by the wiper 110, is one greater than the numberofcontacts ineach level of the line banks. lThe contacts in the banks b and c, with the exception of the last one 'are provided upon the connector, the func- -tion of which will be fully described laterf" The complete operations by means of which the substation-A is connected with the substation A is as follows: VVhenthe subscriber at substation 'A removes his receiver preparatory to-making a call, a bridge is closed across the line lconductors 111 and 112 I A through the transmitter 67 and receiver 66,' ment of the pinion 32 with the rack on the thereby closing-a vcircuit through the line winding of the line switch C. This circuit exteiidsfrom groundvfG through the springs .113 and 114:,`line 111, telephone A,

line 112, springs 115 and 116 and the windv ing 80 to the battery lead 117. The windingl 80, upon energizing, attracts the armature 77, thereby closing a circuit from ground G through the springs .113 and 118,'windings l 7 8,-and 81, contact 119 and the armature'95 to the battery lead 117. The winding `7'8' upon energizing, attractsjthe plunger arm and cut-ott' armature 76. The plunger arm, upon being attracted, causes the plunger to close the springs 8f1-91 into contact in pairs, as indicated. The closure of contact be- Y tween the springs'84 and 85 and 86 and 87 extends. the line connection to the trunk plug P, whereupon the relay 102 becomes energized over a circuit extendingy fronr ground G2 through the lower winding of theV 'relay 102, line switch bank springs 87 and 86, thence to and through the telephone A and back over the other side of". the line, through the springs Si and 85 and the upper winding of the yrelay 102 to thebattery lead. The relay 102, i'lpolreneifgiaing, closes a circuit through the line signal lamp 105 and a holding circuit through the winding 79 of the switch C. The circuit through the lamp 105 extends from ground G3 lthrough the armature 122 and its front contact, armature 123 of therelay 101 andthe lamp 105 to thebattery lead. The circuit through the winding 79 p extends from ground Gr4 through the contact 124, line ,switch bank springs 89 and 88 and the Contact Winding T8 is denergized by the :felling back or the armature 77, which occurs shortly alter the line Winding 80 is disconnected from the line by the operation of the eut-oil armature 76. lIn order tov delay the felling heck of the armature 77 a short time, so es to give the winding 9 e chance to become energized, the Winding is provided on the lower end of the magnet 7 This winding 81 is energized in series with the operating winding 78, and is short-eil euited by tneelosure olil the Contact 125 vWhen* the plunger erin reaches its fully attracted position. This momentary energization of' the. Winding 81, and ther short-cireuiting thereof, keeps the armature 77 attracted for an instant after the Winding S0 is discern nected from the line. The energizution of the relay 102 or the trunk also extends a guarding potential irene ground hrcugh the springs 12st., S9 end 88 end over the conductor 127' to the connector private benl;

contacteern all the 7connectors whichhure,

eccvess to the line oi eubstetion A. r1`he elosure of the henk springe 90 and 91 oi the line switch C completes a circuit from ground (l5 through the-springs 90 und 91, -Si (which, it is assumed, correspends to the seized segment 9T and the The rela31 1550, upon energizing, closes a eireuit through the relay 201. The relay 201 thereupon uttrocts its 'armature 95, With-l drau'ing the pin 0l irolnjthe looking plate '90 andv closing the "circuit of the motor-innig* net .02 at the. contact 202. Since the circuit of the motor magnet includes the inten rupter spring 203', said n niet will operate in a manner similar lo that of u. huw/ze.' asy lou;Y as'the contact 202 closed, thereby roturing the ratchet wheel step hy step to advance the [dunnere oi" the idle line switches :may hein the rrunl-z seized by the swi C. t'ter the plunf; have udA Yuneed a short distance, the. wrper Q8 ie disel gasell rein ilk w rou a l lll und the relays '120 und i201 dr i The Contact 202, however. rent-line clos' until the next. open the plete rli paises under the piu ill, Mlle-reupon the :armut 95 resumes its non nial pofeition, llrealaiuf i le circuit oi the luotor nmnet il? and loch' plunger snuit. il: the next trent* of er lh one sci-ized hy the line sufi heen hner, the vwiper 9S would here Yfound a guarding: potential upon the corresponding contact in the inaster switch hanli, und the relavs 12) und 201 der the pin 0f 'the lille lu .l Y. carried pest the buey ncuild have been vunl; line to en idle trunk line), Wiper 9S, rela;Y 120 to battery.'

'shaft to nieve downward.

to connect her talking set with the trunk to inquire the number desired. The plug P is thereupon inserted into a jack il' of e trunk line leading to a connector E which has access to the group of lines in which the de sired line is located. Upon the insertion of the plugl intothe jack J, a circuit is closed from ground GT (Fig. 2) through the louer Winding of the relay 130, springs 131 and 132, conductor 133, jack J and plug P, re luy 103, plug P and jack J, conductor 134, springs und Y136 and the. upper Winding ot' the relay 130 to the battery lead 117. The

direction of this current through the relay ,tors of the plug und jack to battery. The

relay 104, upon erergizhig,l hreale the circuit of the lainp 105 and furnishes :i new holding groundior the line switch f, The energizetion of the relauwT 130 et the connector upon the insertion of the plug into the jack Shiite the battery connection from the release solenoid'O to the spring 44. ,The operator nonv operates the calling device M in accordance With the nun'iher of the Sulestation desired, which, in this case. will he assumed to he. 22. In order to cull. the nuin-r her 22 the opefxtor first presses the Second hutten '1 o1 the device N. This grounds the liret uw "onteets et the auxiliary' banks l2 and e or the rennector through the magnet 108. The grounding of the contacts in the hunk eat this time is functionless. Since the Wiper 109 is resting upon the uppermostconteet of the bank 71, the pressing oi? the hutten completes a, circuit from ground G8 through 'theroagnet 108, springs 140 and 141, M2 and 1413, conductor lei, upper eentzet of the benk Wiper 109, springs e .sind 140 and 'the niapnet 25 to the battery lczsdvlil", The muguet 10S, upon energizing, leche the depress d hutten down and locke the oth up. rlie muguet 25, upon ener sizing', unlocl; the mechanism in the mun ner already; explained und allows the switch This downward movement of the shaft continues Iuntil the -wiper 109 paseos oli tle second contact,

which was the last one grounded hy the push hutten, whereupon the magnets 108 und E25 detvnergize. f'he magnet 108,l upon deinergizing, releases the depressed hutten of the celling'deriee. The magnet/'25, upon denergizing, looks the mechanism of the connector, bringing' the Wipers 0, 10 and 11 to restl in liront of the second row or level ntf henk contacts. yAs has heen explained, the

13 and held out of contact while the switch is operating, and the springs 59 an 60 come into' engagement as u soon as the switch begins to operate. '-lherefore, as soon as the switch cornes torest after the operation just described, energizing cir. -cuits are closed through the relays 150'1andv j 38. .The circuit for the relay 150 extends from ground .G9 through the springs 60 and 59,'relay 150, springs 151"and 152, 43'and 44, and 154 and 155 to the battery lead. The circuit for the relay 38 extends from ground G1 -throughlthe springs 60 and 59, relay =38,

I lower winding of the r-elay 156 and the the connection of'l the magnet 25 from the springs 43,- 44, 154 and 155 to the battery lead. Therelay l150, upon energizing, shifts wiper 109 to the wiper 110 andforms a locking circuit .for itself through the springs 151 and 157 independently of the springs 43 and 44. The relay 38, upon energizing, releases .the catch 34 in the manner whichhas been I --already: explained. The catch 34, uponen gagingfthe teeth 35, prevents any further downward movement of the switch shaft; Although the lower winding of the relayk -156 is included inthe energizingvcltcuit of the relay 38, the relay 156 is. not opy'ratively energized. The operator now presses the No. 2 button of thc calling device once more forthe second digit2. This againgrounds the firsttwo contacts in the groups b and c.'

' ISince the magnet 25 is now connected to the v.wiper`1`10, the circuit of the magnets 108 `and is closed through. this'wiper and the contacts c. The magnet 25, upon energizing,y 'again unlocks fthe switch-mechanism, but y p since the shaft is now lockedY against further downward movement, 1t 1s forced to rotate.

z 25 again denergize and the wipers 9, 10 and 1, ll/"comejto rest upon the `contacts of. the A 'line No. 22.

relay to denergize to disconnect the battery `The rotation of the shaft continues until the -wiperl 1-10 passes oli'l the second contact in the bank c, whereupon the magnets 108 and Duringthe rotary operation of the switch shaft thecircuit of the relay 38 is opened at the springs 43x and 44 so as to permitsaid from the wipers while they are passing over the contacts. The relay 38 again energizes after the mechanism comes togrest and completes the connection .with the called line, as

lindicated by: the heavy conductors in the drawings.

The .relay 38, upon energizing,

valso completes an energizing circuit through y the cut-off winding 159 of the line switch C and the ringing relay 160 of the/connector.

The circuit of the winding 159 extends from ground G10 through the springs 162 and 161, private wiper 9, connector private bank contact of the called line andv winding 159 to battery. The winding 159, upon' energizing,

cutsthe switch C fromthe line and closes.

the contact 163 in the talking 1circi'1i t. The circuit' of the ringingrelay 160,Y extends .agi

froin 'groun`cl G1111 through the springs `162 vward movement of the switch shaft; but-` l ysince the wipers at this time are not in engagement with any vbank contacts, and vsince the: circuit is opened upon the beginning-of the rotary motion, its rst closure is without function.

- When the called subscriber yremovesfhis receiver, or as soon thereafterfas the ringing relay 160 denergizes, the called substation is providedy Withtallnng current over a cil.'-v

cuit extending from ground 'G11 'through the lower winding of the relay 158 in the connector, springs 168 and 169,"ringingrelay` springs" 170 and 171, wiper 11, line`271, re-

sis

celver andtransmitter at substation A', line 272, contacts-163, wiper 10,'springs 17 and.

174, 175 and 176 and the upper winding ofthe relay 158 to battery. The relay 1581' is energized by this current .and operates to close a circuit extending from ground G1z through the springs 177 and the upper winding' of the relay 156 to the battery lead. The relay 156', upon energizing, breaks the cir- 165 and 166 and formsa locking kcircuit for ,itself so as not to fall back and close the ringingcircuit again whenthecalled vsub- I scriber hangs up his receiver. f This locking cuit ofthe ringing relay 160 at the springs.

circuit, extends from ground G9 through the vwinding of the relay 156 to the battery lead. VVhenfthe'relay .158 of tlie connector 'energizes upon `the response of the called sub7 scriber, it also transposesA the connections between the windings of' the relay 130 and versing the direction of the current throughr the relay 103A of the operators cord. The relay 103 thereupon attracts its armaturefto the other side and, breaks the circuit of the lamp 106 toA signify` to the operator that the called subscriber has answered. Upon the termination of the conversation, the ,operator is given the usual disconnect signalby the conductors 133 and .134, thereby re'' springs 60 and 59, 178 and 179 and the upper i thevhangingfup of the receiver a'tthe calling l and. called substations as follows: The hang ing up of thereceiver Vatfthe calling substation breaks the circuit of the relay 102,

which thereupon .allows its armature to fall tact, i contact 180, armature 123 a'iadff?'the lamp 105 to the battery. lead 117.5` Thehang- `back `to vclose a vcircuit fromgroundGr3`v through the armature 122 and .itsback con `normal position.

ing up of the receiver at the called substation permits the relay 158 of the connector to denergize, which restoresthe current in the relay 108 to its original direction, `where upon the lamp 106 isl again lighted. 'Ihe simultaneous 'glowing of the two'lamps signifies to the. operator that the two connected subscribers have hung up their receivers and .that the connection may be taken down.

The switches C and E are both released ulpon J .the removal 'of the plug P from the jae The switch C is released by the denergizationot` the relay 104 which, since the relay 102 is already denergized, destroys the holding circuit of the winding 7 9 of said switch.` thereby allowing its plunger to be restored to The connector E is released upon the denergization of the relay .130, which completes a circuit from ground In the above description it is assumedv that the called line is idle when called.

connection with a semi-automatic telephone system, it is to be understood that I do not wish-to limit myself to such use, as it is obvious that my improved switch can be employed in connection with a seniieiutoniatic system or a complete automatic system. Likewise, while I have illustrated my invention in connection with a. particular type of automatic switch, it will be readily apparent that the features of my invention are equally as well adapted for use with other FWhenever a line is busy there is a guarding ground potential upon the connector private bank contacts of that line. lfVhenever the private wiper 9 of theconnector engages a contact which is thus grounded, a ciizniit `is closed from said contact through the wiper 9, springs 161 vand 183 and the lower winding of the relay 156A to the battery lead. Thus it will be seen' that if the line of the substation A had been busy when the wipers of the connector came to rest thereon. the relay 150 would have been energized and the relay 38 short-circuited. `The relay 38 being short-circuited it could not have energized to complete the connection, while the relay 156 being energized -would have compliited a connection from the busysignaling machine Q, through the springs 184 and 185, 186 and 16S-and the condenser 187 to the calling substation over the heavy conductors shown in the drawing. Busy signaling current flowing over this connection through the substation and back over the other side of the line, and through the upper winding of the relay 130' of the connector to the battery lead 117 and busyl sig- 4naling machine Q, would have signified to the calling subscriber that the line called for was in ilse. The calling subscriber would then hang up his receiver and give the op-.

crater the disconnect signal.

While I have illustrated my invention in types of automatic switches, and that I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the exact construction shown and described.

What I claim as my invention isz- 1. In a telephone system, a group of telephone lines, an automatic switch, a trunk extending to said switch. to which trunk said switch is individual, means foroperating said switch with a continuous motion to connect with any one of said lines, means for closing a circuit to initiate the operation of said switch, and means controlled'by said circuity closure for controlling the extent of operation ot' said switch.

2. In a telephone system, a group of lines extending toward a er fl line, an automatic switch, means Yfor opel ing said switch to connect with any one oi said lines, a plurality of circuits, means for closing any one of said circuits, and means controlled by the closure ot' any one of said circuits for initiating and for controlling the extent of the op- I `eration of said switch.

3. In4 a telephone system, an automatic switch, a plurality of contacts, means-for said s witch but grounding one or more otsaid contacts, and means controlled by the grounding of said contacts for initiating and tor controlling the extent of the operation oi'psaid switch.

4. In a telephone system, an automatic switch having vertical and rotary motion, a wiper associated with said switch; means whereby said wiper moves vertically with therewith, and means controlled by said wiper for controlling said vertical motion.

5. Ina telephone system, an automatic switch having vertical and rot-ary motion, a trunk extending to said switch, toy `which trunk said switch is individual, a. wiper associated with said switch, means whereby said wiper is prevented from moving verti-, cally therewith, means for rotating said wiper with said switch, and means controlled by said wiper for controlling the rotary motion of said switch. 'i

6. In a telephone system, an automatic switch having motionin two intersecting planes, a trunk extending to said switch, to which trunk said switch is individual, a wiper associated lwith said switch and adapted to move therewith in one of said is prevented from rotating with inthe other of said planes, a set of'cone -tacts inthe path of said wiper, and means switch havingvertical` and rotary motion,

a pairof wipers associated with said switch,

one of said wipers adapted tol move vertif cally withjsaid switch but prevented from rotating therewith, the other' of said wipers adapted to rotate with said switch but prej vented from moving vertically therewith,

and means controlled by" said wipers for y said push buttons operated to close said circuit,and means controlled'therebyfor con- ,1"

controlling the operationof said switch.

8. In a telephone system, an automatic switchhaving verticalfand rotary motion, a

p air of wipers associated withsaid switch,

one of said wipers adapted to move vertically' therewith but prevented from rotating therewith, vthe other of said wipers adapted to rotate therewith 'but prevented' from movg ing vertically, va lslet of contacts in the path A.ot each ,of said wipers, and means for grounding one or more' of said contacts for I -`25 icontrolling the operation of said switch.

9..4 In a telephonev system,'a group of lines,

` an automatic switch, means for moving sald any one of said lines, a plurality of push switch with a continuous motion to select buttons, a circuitassociated with each of u said push buttons, said push buttons oper- I A of operation of vsaid switch.

ated to closesaid circuit, and means controlled thereby for controlling thejextent `10. In a .telephone system, lines divided into groups, an automatic switch having motion in one plane to select groiipsj`v and motion in a planeV atright-anglesthereto for finding a line in a selected groupfmeansl for operating said switch with a continuous motion to connect with any ,one f'said Y lines, means for closing a circuit to initiate the operation of saidswitch, and means controlled by said- Acircuit closing for controlling 'tlie extent of opera-tion of said i switch. z

11.'Y 'In a telephone system, a .plurality of f f lines divided into groups, an automatic and for controlling the switch liavi-ng motion in one plane to select 'groups and vmotion in a plane at right-angles thereto for finding a line in a selected group,

means `for operating said switch to connect with any one of saidl'ines, a plurality of circuits, means for closing any oneof said circuits, and means controlled bythe closure' ofany one of said circuitsfor initiating tion of saidswitch. l g, 12. In Aa. telephone system, a plurality of lines' divided into groups, an automatic 'switch having motion in one plane to. select groups and motion in a plane at right-angles thereto for inding aline in a, selected group,"

. a, plurality of contacts, means for 'grounding extent of the operaone or more of said contacts, and means controlled by the grounding o'f saidcontacts for initiating and for controlling the extent of the .operation of said switch.

13. In a tele-phone system, a plurality of lines divided into groups,l an automatic' switch having motion in one plane to select groups and motion in a plane at right-angles thereto foriinding a line in a selected group,

means `for moving said switch with a continuous motion to select any one of said lines, a plurality of 4push buttons, a circuit associated with each of .said push buttons,

trolling the extent of operation'of said switch.

A A14. In a telephone system, `a pluralityiof'I l tersecting planes for operating said switch -with .a' continuous motion to yconnect 'with any one oisaid lines, mea-ns forclosiiig the circuit to initiate the operation of said switch, and means controlled by said circuit closure for controlling the extent of opera-- tion of said switch. l

15. Ina telephone system, a plurality of Alines divided into groups, an automatic A'switch having motion in one plane to select groups and .motion in a plane at'rifght- .angles thereto Afor'iinding a line in a selected group, -a single ,operatina means for operating said switch in both oi said inteisecting planes to connect with any onel of i said lines, a, plurality of circuits, nieans for y closing any one of said circuitspand means Acontrolled by the closure of any one of said 1 circuits for initiating and for 'controlling the extent 'o'f theV operation of'said switch.

etv

16. In atelephone system, a plurality of A- lines *divided into groups, an' automatic switch having motion 1n one planetoselect groups and, motioninaplane at; rightangles thereto forfinding a'linein ase# operating said switcliin both of said 'intere secting planes tov connect with any one of iid lected group, asingle' operating meansf'for l said lines, a plurality ofcontacts, means for grounding one or'inoreofsaidfcontactsand means controlledby the grounding-.of` said,"

contacts for initiating .and 'o'r. controlling the extent of the operation of saidsWLitch.

17. In a telephone sys/temvafn automaticv vswitch having vertical andZ rotary motion, a

singleoperating means for controlling both of said motions,- a; wiper associated with said jswitch, means whereby said wiper moves vertically with said switch but is prevented from rotating therewith; and

ill

18. In a telephone system., automatic, switch having vertical and rotary motion,

single operating means for. controlling both ,of said motions, a wiper associated with said switch, means whereby said wiper is prevented from moving' vertically there with, means for rotating said wiper with said r`switch, and means controlled loy said wiper for controlling the rotary motionof said switch. l.

19., ln a telephone system, an automatic switch having motion in two intersecting planes, a single operating means for operating said switch in said intersectingplanes, a wiper associated with said switch and adapted to move therewith in encor' said planes but prevented from moving therewith in the other of said planes, a set of contacts in the path of said wiper, and means :tor grounding plurality ot 'said contacts to control the operation oi? said switch.

20. in a telephone system, 'an automatic switch havingvvertical and rotary motionfa,v

single operating means for moving said switch vertically and for rotating the saine, a pair of wipers associated with said switch, one of said wipers adaited to move vertin cally with said switch out prevented from rotating therewith, the other of said wipers adapted to rotate with said switch but prevented from moving 7-fcrtically therewith,

and means controlled by said wipers for controlling the operation of said switch.

2l. ln a telephone system, an automatic switch having vertical and rotary motion, a single operating means for moving said switch vertically and for rotating.; the same,

a pair of wipers associated with said switch,

one ot' said wipers adapted to move vertically thercwitlihut prevented 'from rotatingtherewith, the other ci? said wipers adapted to rotate therewith but prevented from movingi vertically,a set of contacts in the 'path of eachI of said wipers, and means for grounding one or more of. said contacts for controlling the operation of said switch;

` 1 22. In a telephone system, a plurality of lines divided into groups, an automati switch having motion in one 'plane to select rrou s and motion Qin. aw lane` at rioht. 4 n

i angles theretoto iud a line in the selected trolliiig the extent group, a single operating'nieans,for movinr said switch w1 h -a contiuuousniotion to select a group and to find a line in the selected group, plurality of push buttons, a circuit.

associated with cach of'said push buttons, said push buttons operated to close said circuit. and means'cont'rollcd thereby for conof 'operation of said switch. 'f l' In a telephone system, a Agroup of lines extending away from thc calling line,

an automatic switch, means Jfor operating said switch with a continuous Vmotion to connect with any one of said lines, a plurality ci' circuits, means for closing any one of' said circuits, and means controlled by the rality of circuits, means for closing any one ofsaidcircuits to initiate the operation of said switch, and means controlled by said ,circuitvclosure for controlling the extent of .operation of said switch.

25. lln a telephone system, a group of tele phoncvlines, an automatic switch provided' .vith asliaftmemher having motion in one direction, a vtrunk extending to said switch, {towlliicli trunk said switch is individual, means'l for operating said switch to connect .iif'fithany one of said lines, a plurality of circuits, means for closing any one of said circuits to initiate the operation of said switch, and means controlled by said circuit closure for controlling' the extent of- (mei-ation oi said switch.

,26. In a teleilhone systen'i, a group of lines, an automatic switch, means for moving said switclrwith a continuous motion in one direction to select any one of said lines,a plurality of push buttons, a circuit associated with each of said push buttons, said push buttons operated to closeA said circuit, end nicans controllcdythereby for cmitrollinu` 'the extent ot' operation lof said switch. A,

In. a telephone system, a 'group of lines, au automatic switch provided with a shaft member having); a continuous motion in one direction, .means ior moving. said switch to select any, one of said lines, a plurality ofpush-huttonaa. circuit associated lwith .cachot said push buttons, said push 'buttons operated toclose said circuit, and means controlled therebyY for controlling the 'cxtentof operationI of said switch.

In a telephonesyst'em, a group of lines extending away from the 'calling' line, an automatic switch, a. trunk extending to .said switch .towhich trunk said switch is individual, means ,for operating said switch to. connect with any-one of said lines, a plurality of circuits, means for closing any one ot' said circuits, and means controlled li'y the closure of'any one of said ,circuits for initintin;r and for conti'lollingth tent of the operation of said swltch.,` f ru 29.. In a telephone system," a group of lines, an automatic switch, a trunk/extending; to said switch to which said switch is individuah' 'means for moving said switch in one direction to select any one of said lines, a plurality-,of push buttons, a circuit "3 associated with each of said push buttons,

said push buttons operated to close said circuit, and means controlled thereby for controlling the extent of operation of said switch.

30. In a telephone system, a group of iines, an automatic switch provided with a shaft member having motion in one direction, a trunk extending to said switch to which trunk said switch' is individual,

means for moving said switch to select any one of-'said lines, a plurality of push buttons, a circuit associated with each of said push buttons, said push buttons operated to close said circuit, and means controlled thereby for controlling the extent of operation of said switch.

Signed by me at Chicago,A Cook county, Illinois, this 7th day of November, v1911.

ALEXANDER E. KEITH.'

Vitnesses: 4 ARTHUR J. RAY, ALBERT ANDERSEN. 

